BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

OCTOBER 7, 2025

There’s lots of choice when it comes to childcare, and although you might be interested in booking a babysitter, asking the grandparents for help, or even investigating a nanny; there are certain education and care services that fall under the National Quality Framework. 

The National Quality Framework (aka the NQF) is Australia’s system for regulating early learning and school-aged care. 

This means that when you choose a childcare service that’s regulated by the NQF, you can be sure that specific legislation, learning frameworks and a National Quality Standard apply to the education and care being offered.  

So, which kinds of childcare services are covered by the NQF? 

Well, long day care, preschool/kindergarten, family day care, and outside school hours care are the big four; and if you’re not sure which type to choose for your child, here’s a quick run-down. 

1. Long day care 

Also known as ‘centre-based care’, this kind of childcare is popular and convenient for Aussie families, because long day care offers long days of care!  

You can drop your child off before work, and pick them up after, and have the option of enrolling your little one full-time (Monday to Friday) or sending them in on certain days.  

Long day care caters to babies, toddlers and preschoolers, so you’re sorted from birth to school age, and there’s plenty of variety within the long day care category.  

Each centre has its own look, feel, program, philosophy and inclusions, so you can focus on what matters to you when exploring different options.  

And you’ll be happy to know that long day care is a form of ‘approved child care’ under the Child Care Subsidy, so if you’re eligible for this payment, the government will chip in to reduce your fees. 

2. Preschool/kindergarten 

If your child is starting big school soon, then preschool/kindergarten will help to prepare them with a play-based program that’s delivered by an Early Childhood Teacher. 

Each state and territory has its own approach to preschool/kindergarten, and this determines whether you call it ‘preschool’ or ‘kindergarten’, and whether your child has access to two years of preschool/kindy from the age of three, or just one when they’re four. 

Your location also has a bearing on what you pay for this kind of childcare.  

There’s government funding on offer in different states and territories to make preschool/kindy cheaper or free, so ask what’s available when you enquire with a service.  

And speaking of services, you’ve got the option of a standalone preschool/kindergarten, or one that’s part of another education and care service.  

This means you can send your child to a beloved community preschool/kindy, which will usually offer school-length hours.  

Or choose a long day care with a great preschool/kindy program, and childcare that wraps around it (with those extra hours attracting the Child Care Subsidy).  

That said, some standalone preschools/kindies do offer extended hours; and in NSW, the new Expanding Quality Access program will support community preschools to operate outside the 9am to 3pm hours, and care for children from birth to school age. 

3. Family day care 

Quality day cares, preschools and kindergartens make children feel at home, but family day care actually happens in a home.  

With this kind of childcare, one educator cares for a small group of children at their house; and they are supported and monitored by an approved family day care service, which means a coordinator keeps an eye on what’s happening.   

Family day care can be helpful if you’ve kids at different ages, because it caters to children from birth to 12 years, and there’s the opportunity to form a long-lasting bond with one educator. 

This kind of childcare can also be flexible when it comes to hours.  

Depending on the educator, you might be able to use family day care for full days, part days or those non-standard times, like evenings, weekends or maybe even overnight. 

And because family day care is a form of approved child care, it attracts the Child Care Subsidy to make things more affordable.   

4. Outside school hours care 

Outside school hours care services provide childcare outside normal school or preschool hours; and depending on the service, childcare may be provided for preschoolers, primary schoolers or a mix of both ages.  

If your little one goes to a standalone preschool/kindy with school-length hours, OSHC can provide wrap-around care before and after their usual preschool/kindy day, and on those specific days during the holidays.  

OSHC is also great if you have a school-aged child, because it covers before and after school care, vacation care and pupil-free days – and your child can attend regularly or casually, depending on your family’s needs. 

Your primary schooler will be supported to do homework and take on different educational pursuits while at OSHC, however, the program is designed to be fun and relaxing. 

Outside school hours care is also a form of approved child care under the Child Care Subsidy, to make those fees more affordable.  

Image: Rocketeers vacation care, delivered by Camp Australia 

So, let your childcare search begin!  

Whether you’re focused on one type of childcare, or open to alternatives, the FREE KindiCare App and Childcare Comparison Website make it easy to: 

• Search for childcare services in your area 

• Compare your options, based on important things like quality, cost and convenience.  

• Build a shortlist of your favourites 

• Book tours to see services in person, and  

• Apply for a great childcare place.